Did You Miss Round 1?
I missed Round 1 for MBA. Are my chances as high for Round 2?
Absolutely (with a couple of exceptions). But most top programs are now splitting their intake evenly between Round 1 and Round 2. So the old saying “they run out of spots” simply isn’t true anymore (except for Columbia, which is rolling).
CBS also has a binding decision (as does Duke) that gives an advantage to those who apply early and are willing to commit. But for every other major program, Round 2 (or R3 for UK programs) is a perfectly reasonable time to apply.
Admittedly, while intake and acceptance rate don’t directly equate, for the most part, you can apply in January and have an equally high chance of getting in. That being said, you will want to make the most of your additional time.
With an extra 3-4 months to study for the GMAT, your scores should go up. The same is true of TOEFL/IELTS. So if you have GMAT tests remaining, use them. For language tests, you can always take more, so utilize those as well.
What else should I be doing until January?
Making sure:
- Your positioning is unique
- Your essays are great (and accurate)
- Your interview skills are strong
- You’re ready for the difficulty and stress of video essays
- You continue to be active outside of work
- You find the right consultant, if that’s the way you want to go
Obviously, if you do #6 well, numbers 1-5 are significantly easier.
